NewsGate TV

The NewsGate Magazine, the NewsCrest Newspaper and the NewsGate TV families worldwide join millions in congratulating His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as we celebrate 27th uninterrupted democracy today 12th June, 2026.

C2C4 Tinubu and Mutfwang Campaign Group heartily congratulates Nigerians on the auspicious occasion of 27th uninterrupted democracy today 12th June, 2026

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM DR. JEMCHANG FABONG YILDAM ON THE PASSING OF CONTROLLER OF CUSTOMS DANJUMA SIMAN

I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of *Controller of Customs Danjuma Siman*, a proud son of Langtang North and a distinguished officer who served our nation with honor and diligence.

With his death, *an iroko tree has fallen* in Langtang North. Controller Siman was a pillar — strong, upright, and a source of pride to his family, community, and the Nigeria Customs Service. His contributions to national security and to the development of our people will not be forgotten.

At this moment of grief, I urge the immediate family, relatives, and the entire people of Langtang North to take heart. *There is time for everything under the season of the earth* - Ecclesiastes 3:1. God gives and God takes. We may not understand His ways, but we trust His purpose.

On behalf of my family, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Siman family, the Nigeria Customs Service, and Langtang North LGA. May God grant his soul eternal rest and give you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Dr. Jemchang Fabong Yildam Media Team

NEWSGATE TV MOURNS THE DEMISE OF COMPTROLLER OF CUSTOMS DANJUMA NIMDUL SIMAN RTD ON 10TH JUNE, 2026.
THE LORD REST HIS SOUL AND COMFORT THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!!

DEMOCRACY DAY GOODWILL MESSAGE,2026.

On this special occasion of Democracy Day in Nigeria 2026, on behalf of the Board Chairman, Management and Staff members of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, I, Rev. Wanson Yusufu Bagu, heartily congratulate His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Her Excellency, Ngo Josephine Piyo, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, Hon. Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, and Arc. Samuel N. Jatau, the Secretary to the Government of the State, for their commitment and service to democratic governance and national development.

As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day on the 12th of June, we join millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora in celebrating the enduring values of democracy, freedom, justice, unity, and national progress.

This day reminds us of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and democratic heroes whose courage and commitment paved the way for the democratic system we enjoy today. It is also an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of our leaders at all levels who continue to work towards strengthening democratic institutions and promoting good governance.

As we celebrate this important national milestone, we offer heartfelt prayers for Nigeria. May Almighty God grant our leaders wisdom, integrity, and courage to lead with justice and compassion. May He bless our nation with lasting peace, security, economic prosperity, and unity among all ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
We pray for divine intervention in every sector of our national life, for the growth of our economy, the empowerment of our youth, the protection of our citizens, and the continued strengthening of our democratic institutions. May Nigeria continue to flourish as a nation where peace, progress, and equal opportunities abound for all.Happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians.

God bless Plateau State.�God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:
Rev. Wanson Yusufu Bagu,
Executive Secretary,
Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

OVER N20 BILLION PENSION AND GRATUITY PAID IN PLATEAU STATE
… LG Staff Pension Board boss, Helen Dabup mni, urges LG chairmen to review gratuity remittances upwards.. About N40 billion backlog yet to settled
… Pension presently hundred per cent up to date

By Yakubu S. Ajala

Over 20 billion Naira has been paid in pension and gratuity from the year 2023 to 2026 to pensioners cutting across the 17 Local Government Areas in Plateau State.
Similarly, the gratuity of deceased pensioners amounting to N1.15 billion has been hundred percent fully paid, while part payment of gratuity to existing and deceased pensioners is over N1.969 billion.
The Executive Secretary of Plateau State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Mrs. Helen Edward Dabup mni, revealed this in an exclusive interview with THE EXPRESS JOURNAL magazine in her office at the Joseph Gomwalk State Secretariat Jos, Plateau State recently.
Giving the breakdown on the journey so far, since she took over the mantle of leadership in 2023 to date, Mrs Dapup mni, disclosed that over N23.4 billion has been disbursed to pensioners to ensure regular payments of monthly pension, gratuity, and ongoing part payment of gratuity to existing and deceased pensioners in the state.
She expantiate with details accurate figures that payment of pension to 17 Local Government Councils from 2023 to date paid the sum of # 20,318,698,679.51, (Twenty billion, three hundred and eighteen million, six hundred and ninety eight thousand, six hundred and seventy nine naira, fifty eight kobo).
For the payment of gratuity to existing and deceased Pensioners in full (100%), paid #1,150,000,000.00 (one billion, one hundred and fifty million, no kobo).
Moving to the part payment of gratuity to existing and deceased Pensioners, paid #1,969,900,555.59 (one billion, nine hundred and six nine million, nine hundred thousand, five hundred and fifty five naira, fifty nine kobo).
This gives grand total of the sum of #23,438,599,235.10, (Twenty three billion, four hundred and thirty eight million, five hundred and ninety nine thousand, two hundred and thirty five naira, ten kobo only).
While appreciating Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for the confidence reposed in her to operate freely and backing with the release of over N1 billion in order to give succor to senior citizens in the state, she recalled that when she took over in 2023, she discovered lack of consistency in the payment of pensions, whereby the pensioners were neglected and left at the mercy of God, couple with absence of authentic record keeping of transactions.
She noted that the change brought about by the concern and commitment of the present administration in the state has gone a long way in positively impacting the lives of the pensioners, with many of them battling to pay for expensive drugs on virtually daily basis as a result of one ailment or the other, especially diseases like diabetes, cancer, trauma and depression amongst many too numerous suffered by both men and women despite financial predicaments.
She said the pathetic situation has moved her into taking care and giving preferential support to the sick, noting that no matter how little the amount given, it could save life rather than allowing the elder citizens to die under either trauma or depression.
With the testimonies received from her encounter with hundreds of pensioners, the Executive Secretary disclosed that the support received for the part payment of gratuity has gone a long way in assisting the retirees to better manage their lives, and enabled them to help their children and grandchildren one way or the other in addition to expenses on medicaments.
She further disclosed that the core mandate of the board is to get money and disburse same immediately and accordingly to the beneficiaries by ensuring that no one is left behind because an injury to one is an injury to all as health challenges are enormous, besides, health is wealth.
With great concern, the Executive Secretary stated that "l feel happy when I receive reports that pensioners always received alerts. I can only be biased in favour of pensioners suffering from ill-health, especially those on weekly dialysis, hence prompt payment of pension and gratuity cannot be swept under the carpet.
“Therefore, I am making a passionate appeal to Local Government Chairmen in the state to temper justice with mercy for an upward review of the monthly remittance towards the payment of gratuity, saying, her heart bleeds when she cannot adequately meet up with the numerous demands due to the level of poverty in respect of economic predicament of the country."
"I'm constrained because the money received is limited, passionate about the sick ones of which many are dying in silence, it's sad, painful and heartbreaking", she emphasized.
Mrs Dabup mni further lamented that the backlog of over N40 billion is worrisome and prayed for divine intervention from the Lord through support from the three tiers of government.
The Executive Secretary, a retiree from the National Assembly Abuja, further disclosed that the Plateau State Local Government Staff Pension Board, like any in the states of the federation, was established by Edict Number 27 of 1987, which officially took effect in 1988, under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, saddled with the responsibility of meeting the payment of pension and gratuity with support from the three tiers of government.
Aunty Helen Dabup mni, also a former Deputy Rector and Acting Rector of Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi, expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Plateau State through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the commitment to the local government chairmen in the state and indeed the entire three tiers of government, Management and staff of the organization for the tremendous support.

With Rika's Corner – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

WHEN POLITICS OF USE AND DUMP TAKE CENTRE STAGE

By Daniel Kura

In every political cycle, a familiar drama plays out. A young man mortgages his shop to print posters. A woman empties her cooperative savings to mobilize her ward. A community leader stakes his reputation to sell a candidate he believes in. They knock on doors. They absorb insults. They defend a name that is not theirs.

Then victory comes. And suddenly, the phone stops ringing.

That is the moment the politics of use and dump takes centre stage. It is the quiet tragedy that empties our democracy of trust and fills it with mercenaries.

The Three Acts of a Political Tragedy

Act One: The Courtship
It begins with honey. “You are our structure. Without you, we cannot win.” The aspirant sits on a mat in your compound. He eats your mother’s food. He calls you “brother” in front of the cameras. You believe him because he needs you, and need is the most convincing form of affection.

So you give him your name. Your time. Your money. Your boys. You fight his enemies as if they insulted your father. Your loyalty becomes the bridge he walks on.

Act Two: The Coronation
He wins. The sirens sing. Appointments are shared like wedding rice. The faces you never saw during the campaign now occupy the front row. Your calls are unanswered. The man who once visited without notice now needs a “formal appointment through his PA.”

You wait. You are told to be patient. “Government is a process.”Months pass. The process never processes you.

Act Three: The Funeral
By the next election, he has found new friends. Younger voices. Fresher legs. You are now “part of the old system.” Your dedication is repackaged as desperation. Your sacrifice is rewritten as entitlement. You have been used. You have been dumped. Curtain falls.

The Cost to Our Commonwealth

When use and dump becomes culture, three things die:

1. Mentorship dies. Why should a young man serve when he watched his uncle serve and get nothing but silence?
2. Ideology dies. If loyalty has no reward, loyalty goes to the highest bidder. Politics becomes a market, not a mission.
3. Institutions die. Parties that do not keep their builders cannot keep their buildings. Today’s dumped foot soldier is tomorrow’s angry opposition.

A state that treats dedication as disposable will soon find that development is impossible. The same hands you discard are the hands needed to hold the ladder for the next generation.

To the Used: You Were Not Waste

If you have been used and dumped, hear this: You were not foolish. You were faithful.

They took your effort, but they could not take your experience. They took your platform, but they could not take your purpose. They dumped your file, but they could not dump your name from the hearts of people you served.

Sometimes being dumped is not rejection. It is redirection. It is God removing you from tables where you were only a utensil, so you can build your own.

To the Users: The Law of the Ladder

Power is a tenant. It does not own the house. The people you step on to rise are the same people you will meet on your way down. History is filled with men who thought they were too big to say thank you. History is also filled with their obituaries.

A leader who cannot keep friends will soon have only sycophants. And sycophants cannot warn you when the ground is sinking.

How We Change the Script

1. For Leaders: Institutionalize gratitude. Reward loyalty publicly. Create a Party Hall of Honour. Pensions for old campaigners. Scholarships for their children. Let politics have a memory.
2. For Supporters: Serve your community through a platform, but do not sell your destiny to it. Build your own name while you build another man’s. That way, if they dump you, they only dump your shadow.
3. For Parties: Loyalty must be a criterion for leadership. If you cannot be trusted with a man, you cannot be trusted with a ministry.

The Last Word

The politics of use and dump is cheap, and that is why it is expensive. It costs us trust. It costs us talent. It costs us the belief that politics can be noble.

But the final law still stands: *You cannot be dumped if you were never property. You can only be released. And release is often the beginning of rulership.

Let us build a politics where a man’s dedication is not a tissue to be used and thrown away, but a seed to be watered and celebrated.

Because a democracy that forgets its builders will soon live in ruins.

Daniel Kura
Frontline Chairmanship Aspirant
Langtang North LGA
All Progressives Congress, APC
Divine Mandate: To Transform Langtang North With Integrity, Guided By God, Driven By Service